Chapter 2: No longer human

"Issei? You're up rather Early. Is everything alright in there?"

Issei jumped when he heard the voice of his mother. He began to panic, afraid that she'll get the wrong idea when she enters his room to see a naked Rias in his room. He immediately came up with an excuse in hopes she won't enter his room.

"I-I-I'm fine Mother! I just had a nightmare! That's all!" Issei crossed his fingers hoping his mother would buy it.

"Oh. well, I'm going to cook breakfast right now, I'll call you when it's ready."

"Okay Mother." Issei sighed a breath of relief after hearing her mother say that. Now all that's left to do is get some answers from his senpai, Rias. But first... He had to do something about her... Birthday suit. After taking a deep breath, Issei made direct eye contact with Rias. "You do realize that your private parts are still showing right?"

"Yes, I know." Issei face faulted at how casually she replied to him. "Would you like me to stand up so you can get a better view?" She began to tease Issei, only for him to get up from his face fault and point an accusing finger at her with a blush on his cheeks.

"Don't get any funny ideas! I have NO interest in staring at you in nude!" Rias giggled at his response, making Issei face palm himself and sigh in frustration. He then asked his senpai as politely as possible, while his face is still in his palm, "Look, can you please get dressed and tell me what the Hell is going on?" Issei took his face out of his palm and looked to see that she started getting dressed. Well, she got her panties on and just started getting her bra on. She turned to Issei.

"Will you clip this for me?" Issei widened his eyes a little and blushed a light shade of red, but nodded and helped her hook up her bra. He then sat down on his bed and looked away from Rias, waiting for her to get fully dressed. While she was doing so, she asked him, "So, how's your body feeling? you know, from your injuries?" Issei widened his eyes, recalling what happened last night, and shot up from his bed and looked at Rias, who was now fully dressed.

"That's right! I was meaning to ask you! What's up with that man who had feathered wings?! W-W-Why was he trying to kill me?! And-And-And *bmmp*."

"Calm down Ise," Rias said to him, touching his lips with her index finger, making him blush at her action. She then took her finger off them. "All will be answered in time. Anyway, your body is amazing."

Issei blushed a darker shade of red. "WHUAHAAAHH! B-B-By that, do you mean..."

His reaction made Rias giggle again. "No, I don't mean it like that. Don't worry, I'm still a virgin." Issei breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that. Rias continued to speak. "I was talking about how strong you were to put up a fight against that fallen angel yesterday despite your injuries caused by him. You were even able to recover from said injuries in just one night."

"Recover?" Issei asked confused.

"It left you weak," Rias continued, "But all you needed was a little magic touch to bring you back."

"Okay... But Why was I naked when I woke up? And how exactly did I survive this 'fallen angel's' attacks?" Issei questioned his red-haired senpai.

"Well," Rias began to explain, "The wound couldn't heal on its own, so I held you close and used my magic. It only works if we're completely naked."

After hearing her explanation, Issei's entire face turned red, almost the same shade as her hair and hugged himself. "WAAAAH! Skin to skin contact?!"

Rias giggled at his reaction and smiled to him. "My goodness, you get flustered so easily."

Issei pointed an accusing finger at her while his blush was still intact. "Well, I wonder why that is?!"

Rias approached the flustered Issei and cupped his chin in her hand. "Now now, Ise," she said to him. "You should be smiling, this world is magical."

"Sorry," responded the still blushing Issei. "But what you're doing right now's not helping." He then began to ask, "Besides, if you were the one who 'healed' me, then what in the Hell are you?"

Rias made a face of realization. "Oh that's right. I wasn't able to tell you due to you screaming in surprise." She proceeded to take four steps back from him and began to introduce herself to him, placing a hand on her chest. "My name is Rias Gremory, and I'm a Devil."

Issei widened his eyes at her introduction "A... A Devil?" he asked in confusion.

"Yes, that's right," Rias answered. "I'm also your master."

Issei widened his eyes further after she said that. "I... I don't understand..." Issei was at loss. He's his senpai's master? What exactly does she mean by that?

"Don't worry," Rias assured him. "All will be explained later. Right now, we should be ready for school, yes?" After she said that, Issei's alarm clock went off. He ran to it and hit the snooze button.

He then turn to Rias and told her, "You can leave through the window, I'll close it behind you."

Rias nodded to him in response as Issei opened his window for her to take her leave.

Before she left, she told him, "After school, I'm sending someone to your class to pick you up and take you to the old school building, I'll explain everything from here."

Issei nodded and replied, "alright then." After Rias left, he closed the window and went downstairs to have breakfast.

Hyoudou residence, Kitchen

The Hyoudou family were eating their breakfast, peaceful as can be. Issei on the other hand, had a puzzled look on his face while he was eating. All that stuff Rias told him was leaving him so many questions. But thankfully, she said they'll be answered soon. He also wondered why she wanted to talk in the old school building. He knew about her being president of the Occult Research Club, and that it takes place in the old school building thanks to some students he walked by from last week constantly talking about her, and since devils, since she called herself one, are occult related, it probably would make sense.

His mother noticed his puzzled look and asked, "Is something on your mind, dear?" to see if he's alright.

Issei was snapped out of his thoughts and turned to his mother, who had a look of concern. "Oh, it's nothing," He assured her. "I was just thinking to myself that's all." Suddenly, the Hyoudou family heard the doorbell ring.

"Issei, can you get that please?" Issei's mother asked him.

"Of course." he said as he walked to the door and opened it, only to be shocked to see who it was. "G-G-Gremory-senpai?! Wh-Wh-What are you doing here?!"

"Come now, Ise," The redhead replied. "I told you that you could call me by my first name, didn't I?"

Issei then heard his father say in a teasing tone, "Oh, I assume she's your girlfriend?"

Issei was about to turn around and give his father a piece of his mind, but Rias tapped him on the shoulder, making him look in her direction, and showed him the palm of her right hand that read, "Play along." Issei sweat dropped at this, but decided to do as her palm said because he didn't want anymore confusion.

Issei's mother noticed the redhead and asked "Who might you be?"

Rias looked to his parents and said, "Oh, that's right, how rude of me. My name is Rias Gremory and I go to the same school your son does." She then asked his parents. "Is it alright if I have a talk with you about something?"

Issei's mother smiled at this and replied, "Why of course we can, It makes me happy to know my sweet boy's already making new friends."

Issei blushed at this and said, "Mom! don't embarrass me like that!"

Issei was back at the kitchen table with Rias sitting next to him. His parents offered her something to eat, but she declined the offer, saying that she already had breakfast.

"So, uh... Rias was it?" Issei's father was the first to speak up. "What kind of relationship are you two in at the moment?"

Issei blushed at his father's question and shouted, "Dad! Don't ask her such an embarrassing question!"

"It's quite alright Ise." Rias told Issei. She then answered his father, "Your son and I aren't dating, we're only just friends."

Issei's father sighed and said, "And here I thought my son finally got lucky."

Issei reached over the table and karate chopped his father's head saying, "Knock it off!"

His father only chuckled at his son's reaction while scratching the area where he got hit.

"I must say Rias," Issei's mother said to her, "For a foreigner, your Japanese is quite impressive."

"Why thank you Mrs. Hyoudou." Rias said. "My father has worked in Japan, so I had to learn the language."

"Anyway," Issei's father interjected, "What exactly did you want to talk about with us?"

Rias heard his question and answered, "You see Mr. Hyoudou, I came here to let you and Mrs. Hyoudou know that your son, Issei, is apart of the Occult Research Club."

Issei, as well as his parents widened their eyes at her statement.

"Um... When you say occult..." Issei's mother began saying in fear.

"Oh no, you misunderstand," Rias assured her, "My club only research the supernatural. We don't perform any rituals or silly stuff like that."

Unfortunately, Issei's mother wasn't convinced by what she said and responded, "I'm not taking any chances! I won't let you sacrifice my precious boy to some demonic spawn of Hell!"

Issei cringed at what she said, and his father questioned his son what kind of woman he attracted, making Issei cringe even more.

"I assure you two," Rias insisted to his parents, "We only research the supernatural. Nothing more, nothing less."

As Issei was looking at Rias after she explained to his parents about how her club works, he could've sworn he saw her blue-green eyes change color to red. As he kept looking at her eyes with a puzzled face, he suddenly heard his parents say, "Oh... I see... I apologize for jumping conclusions..." That was what his mother said.

His father on the other hand, said, "Indeed... We do hope for the best for our son to try new things..."

Issei was in surprise at his parents' response to his senpai and how sleepy-like they sounded, but what freaked him out the most was when he took a look at them, they looked like they were hypnotized or something.

Rias leaned her head towards Issei and whispered in his ear, "I had to use my magic to hypnotize them since this was starting to get out of hand."

Issei widened his eyes at her explanation.

"What the fuck?!" he shouted at her quietly with an offended look. "You could've at least let me try to calm them down!"

Rias backed up from him a little, stunned at his outburst. But she understood why he was outraged and gave him an apologetic stare.

"I'm sorry, Ise. I just didn't want them to freak out."

Issei took a deep breath to calm down and shot another stare at her.

"Alright, fine. Just try not to resort to that again. I know you're a Devil, but it's just kinda messed up for you to do that."

Rias nodded to Issei in response, understanding what he was talking about.

"You have my word."

Kuoh Academy entrance

While Issei and Rias were walking to Kuoh Academy, students male and female started noticing them.

"Look! It's the prince of justice!" a female student said.

"He looks so cute and handsome today!" another female student. commented.

"What's he doing with Rias-senpai?" a male student asked.

"Oh no! Do you think they're dating?!" another male student asked in fear.

"No! Our prince of justice has been taken!" a female student said in distress.

"Damn you bishounen!" a male student cursed at Issei.

"First the blonde Prince Charming, now this bastard?!" another pissed male student exclaimed.

Issei had a pissed off expression at the mean comments the male students were giving him. However, he was a little nervous at the comments he got from the girls.

'I'm starting to question the sanity of every student in this school.' Issei thought, mostly because of how the students jumped to conclusions on how him and Rias were dating.

As they entered the building, Issei felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see who tapped it. It was Rias. "What's up?"

"Just a reminder," she began to tell him, "I'm sending someone to your classroom to pick you up after school. So stay in your classroom until that person arrives."

Issei replied with a nod and the two went their separate ways to their classes. As Issei was walking, he suddenly felt his instincts telling him to dodge, so he did just that. He looked to see who attacked them, and to his surprise, it was none other than the perverted duo. He learned that the baldy's name was Matsuda and the four-eyes' was Motohama thanks to his friend Aika. He was surprised they tried to attack him because he beat them up for peeping at the kendo team and scared them after threatening them.

"Start talking bastard!" Matsuda shouted.

Issei raised an eyebrow. "What in the Hell are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with us, Bishounen!" Motohama exclaimed. "We saw you walking with The gorgeous Rias-Onee-sama! 99-58-90!"

It was quite obvious that they were starting to piss Issei off. Firstly, why were they interrogating him when A. they were selfish perverts, and B. he caught them red handed peeping at the kendo team and made them fear him? But as they continued to 'interrogate' Issei, his face formed into scowl, his hair was covering his eyes, and he had a tick mark on the top left of his head.

Katase and Murayama noticed Issei's situation, and went to shut the perverted duo up. Issei noticed them, and put a hand up towards them, signaling to stand down.

Meanwhile, Rias was walking upstairs to her classroom. As she made it to the top of the stairs, she heard someone say, "You seem so certain about him." Rias turned to see a woman who appeared to be in the same year as her. She had black hair in the style of a bob cut, had violet eyes, and wore red glasses.

"Hello again Rias." she greeted her. "Good to see you."

Rias smiled and replied, "It's good to see you too Sona."

Sona smiled to her friend and pushed up her glasses. "You know," Sona began, "one of my servants has been talking about this boy ever since you told me about his battle with a fallen angel before you reincarnated him. Could that be why you went for him?"

Rias smirked to her friend and said, "there's more to the story than that. When I watched him fight, he was fighting with pure instinct, almost like he's been to battle before. Even though it was quite a short fight, it amused me." her eyes then soften. "He also has the honor of a warrior, and a good heart. Even though his enemy was a being that wanted him dead, surprisingly, he wanted to spare her life and move on. Unfortunately, it didn't go his way." Rias then sets her stare on Sona. "And personally, I refuse to let anyone with a kind heart like his die like this just because he was trying to make a truce.

After Sona listened to her reasons, with a surprised expression too, she nodded to her and replied, "I hope it works out in your favor. After all, we will eventually have our-"

"You know," Rias and Sona's conversation was interrupted when they heard a voice spoken out loud so that all the students can hear. They turned their heads to see that it was Issei. His hair was still covering his eyes and the tick mark was still on his head. He was also grinning menacingly towards the direction of the perverted duo. Issei continued talking from there, "I am quite surprised you two actually approached me over something so stupid!"

The perverted duo started shudder in fear at Issei's tone and menacing grin. All of the students, male and female, including Rias and Sona, looked on at the scene between Issei and the perverts.

"In fact," Issei continued, "you fuckers actually tried to hurt me in blind jealousy just because of a misunderstanding and tried to make me a bad guy. That surprises me the most because you bastards invade women's privacy by peeping on them in any way you can, just like how I caught you two red handed peeping on the kendo team five days ago!"

The perverted duo were now sweating bullets. "wh-wh-whoa now," Motohama studdered. "Y-Y-Y-You don't have to be so lo-"

"You know," Issei interrupted the pervert with the glasses, not caring one bit about what he was going to say. "If I had the permission from this entire school, I'd go ahead and dislocate a certain thing you two got down there..." Issei paused in his speech, while the perverted duo slowly backed away from the grinning brown-haired boy. He then lifted his head up to look at them with evil looking eyes. He then finished with. "WHILE EVERYONE AROUND HERE IS WATCHING YOU SCREAM IN PAIN DURING THE PROGRESS!" The perverted duo began to scream and run for their lives from the sadistic looking Issei. After they were out of his sight, he breathed a sigh of relief, glad to finally be rid of those perverts.

Suddenly, he heard some girls squeal in delight and turned to them, only for him to blush a light shade of red since they were looking in his direction.

"Wow! How heroic!" one girl said.

"Those pervy freaks better watch out for the prince of justice!" another girl said.

Issei's blush darkened as he heard the girls talk about him like that. Deciding that he's heard enough, he speed walked his way to his classroom.

The girls giggled at how cute he looked when he acted shy.

After school

Issei was looking out the window next to his seat, enjoying how beautiful the day was. While doing so, he wondered in his mind, 'I wonder who Rias-senpai's sending to pick me up?'

"Hey there Issei-kun."

Issei looked away from the window as his attention was caught by his classmate, Aika. "Oh, hey Aika-san." he greeted her.

"Mou! When are you gonna start adding chan to my name?" Aika said in a teasing tone, making Issei blush and fiddle his thumbs together. Aika giggled at his action and sat next to him.

Issei recovered from his shyness and asked, "Anyway, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing much." replied Aika. "Just getting ready to visit Katase-san and Murayama-san to practice kendo. But I thought I'd have a quick chat with you before I leave."

Issei nodded in response. "Well for me, I'm waiting for someone from the Occult Research Club to escort me to the old school building. Apparently Rias-senpai invited me to be a member."

"Really? Well, ain't you a lucky fella?"

Issei raised an eyebrow at her comment. "I'm lucky how?"

"Well," Aika began to explain to him. "the club is run by Gremory-senpai and Himejima-senpai, who are known by most students 'the Great Onee-samas'."

Issei knew who she meant by the Great Onee-samas. In fact, he thought the nicknames for the two senpais were just weird. He even wondered how they feel about being called that.

"And maybe if you play it right," Aika continued "you could get one of them to fall in love with you." Aika said the last part in a teasing tone.

Issei blushed a dark shade of red. "Oh, very funny!" he snapped. "I'm not that kinda guy to seduce girls you know!"

Aika giggled at his snap. "Calm down Issei-kun. I was just messing with you."

Issei sighed with a sweat drop at her teasing.

"Oh my gosh! It's Kiba-kun!" Issei and Aika turned their heads to see some girls surround the door with blushes on their cheeks as they see Kiba walk into the classroom.

"Hello ladies." Kiba's greeting made the girls squeal in delight.

"He's so handsome!" one girl commented. As the comments about Kiba were continuing, and of course some jealous comments from the boys, Kiba approached the desk Issei was sitting in.

"Excuse me, are you Issei Hyoudou?"

"Um... Yes I am. Is there something I can help you with?" Issei asked politely.

"I've been sent by Buchou to bring you to the Occult research club building. If you would please come with me?"

'He must be the one Rias-senpai sent.' Issei then nodded and said, "Alright then. Well Aika-san, I'll see you later."

Aika responded with a smile and wave.

Before Issei and Kiba could leave the classroom, the girls started gossiping about the 'Prince of justice' and the 'Lost Prince of Kuoh' being a gay couple.

Issei turned his head towards the girls with a tick mark and exclaimed, "Don't jump to conclusions you perverts!"

Outside Kuoh Academy

Issei and Kiba were walking to the old school building, where the Occult Research Club takes place. Issei was still annoyed with how the girls thought that him and Kiba are getting together.

"Damn, no wonder you deny most of those girls' requests. They can drive you crazy!"

Kiba chuckled at his statement. "Yeah, they can assume stuff rather too quickly."

The two boys have made it to the old school building. Kiba opened the door of the building and they entered the building. As they entered, Issei couldn't help but feel haunted at how dark it was inside. He was also surprised at how clean and normal the place was. Issei and Kiba made it to the second floor and were heading towards a door that leads to a room. While approaching the door, Issei noticed out of the corner of his eye a door that was heavily locked with a sign that says, "Do not enter!".

Kiba noticed Issei's attention on said door and tapped him on the shoulder, catching his attention. "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you." Issei raised an eyebrow at what he said, but nodded in response. Kiba then knocked on the door that leads to the room he was going to take Issei to. "Buchou, I brought him."

"Come in." Rias' voice came from behind the door.

Kiba and Issei entered the room, and Issei was surprised when he observed the room. It was dark in there, with window curtains closed and only lit candles were providing light, giving off a creepy atmosphere. There were victorian-style sofas facing each other with a coffee table in between them with a carpet underneath them, and a big office desk behind.

Issei then noticed that someone was sitting on one of the sofas eating a chocolate bar. "Is that who I think it is?"

"Oh? You know her Issei?" Kiba asked.

"Oh, no," replied Issei." I just heard about her being the school's mascot from some of the students I walked by during school."

"This is Koneko Toujou," Kiba introduced to Issei. "She's a first year and valued member of the Occult Research Club." Kiba then looks to Koneko and says, "This is Issei Hyoudou, our newest member."

Issei then bows to her and says, "It's nice to meet you. I hope we can get along." Koneko nods in response and goes back to eating her chocolate bar. 'Not much of a talker eh?'

Issei then heard the sound of flowing water hitting the floor. He turned his head towards where that sound was coming from only to widen his eyes a little as he found a shower with the shower curtain closing it off. And to top it all off, there was a silhouette of a woman through the curtains. "Why is there a shower in the middle of this room?" he asked with a deadpan look on his face.

Kiba answered, "You see, Buchou couldn't shower at home so she usually takes one here."

"No," Issei turns to Kiba with his deadpan look still intact. "I mean why is it in the middle of the room we're in instead of being somewhere else? I mean, who modified this room? A noob at Fallout 4?"

Kiba only laughed and scratched his cheek at his question and deadpan look. Koneko only looked at Issei and went back to her chocolate bar.

"Your clothes are laid out for you when you're finished, Buchou." Issei heard another voice that belonged to a girl from behind the curtain. He couldn't tell who it was though.

"Thank you Akeno." Now thatvoice belonged to Rias, confirming the identity of the previous voice he heard. Issei sighed and scratched the back of his head in nervousness.

"I see you're finally here." Issei looked to see a girl who had black hair tied in a ponytail with violet eyes approaching him while smiling. Issei backed away from her slowly with a hint of pink on his cheeks. "Don't worry, I won't bite." she assured Issei. "You're the new guy, huh? It's nice to finally meet you." She then bowed to him, making Issei gain a light red blush. Akeno giggled as she noticed his blush. "There's nothing to be nervous about. Everyone here is super nice. I'm Akeno Himejima and I'm the vice president. Fufufu."

Issei's blush turned a darker shade of red. He had to admit, Akeno was adorable. He proceeded to bow to her and say, "Oh, um... I'm Issei Hyoudou. It's nice to meet you as well Himejima-senpai." Issei got up from his bow and scratched the back of his head nervously with his blush still intact.

Akeno smiled at his little introduction. "Ara ara, Please, call me Akeno. There's no need to be formal with me. Fufufufu."

Suddenly, Issei remembered her saying something earlier. "Oh, that's right, what exactly do you mean by 'finally' meeting me?"

Akeno giggled at his question and winked at him. "Oh, let's just say I heard a lot of positive things about you."

Issei looked away and scratched the back of his head in response to what she said.

The shower curtains opened as Rias was exiting the shower fully dressed with a towel in her hand, drying her long, red hair. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Issei," she said. "I didn't have time to wash after leaving your place, so I hope I didn't keep you long."

Issei shook his head. "No, it's fine." he assured her. Rias then moved in front of the office desk and leaned against it with her arms crossed, as everyone else sat down on one of the sofas. Issei sat next to Akeno on the sofa to her right, while Koneko and Kiba sat on the other one. They were all drinking tea that Akeno had prepared before the gathering.

"Now that everyone's here, I'd like to welcome you to the Occult Research Club, Issei Hyoudou," she proclaims. "But you should know that the name of the club is just a front. It's supposed to look like some sort of hobby. I'll be frank with you, Ise, and get right to the point; everyone in this room... are devils."

"...I see."

Everyone in the room widened their eyes as they looked at how casually he looked and spoke. Even Koneko had a surprised look when he said that. "You're not in shock about that?" Akeno asked curiously.

"To be honest, it was kinda obvious." Issei replied as he grabbed the cup of tea that was given to him by Akeno. "Rias-senpai herself told me she was a devil. At first I didn't believe her, but now I do after she pulled off some kind of hypnosis trick on my parents. I knew that because I noticed how her eyes changed color for a moment and how my parents talked after that. And when I found out the rest of you folks are involved with her club business, I assumed you all were devils too. And if devils exist, then other biblical stuff and logic has to exist as well. It probably confirms that those fights I had with those 'Fallen Angels' were a reality as well. And thanks to her magic, which I still question how it works because of a crazy procedure that I will not go into details in, I'm still here." He then took a sip of the tea and put the cup back on the table. He looked to Akeno and said, "This tea's really good by the way."

Akeno smiled brightly and replied, "Why thank you. Fufufu."

"Oh, I forgot to mention," Issei continued. "While Rias-senpai performed the hypnosis trick, I couldn't help but feel some kind of power from her. You know, like in that manga series when you can detect someone's presence and power via Reiatsu, or spiritual pressure, or something like that."

Everyone in the room widened their eyes again at his statement. Rias put a hand on her chin after learning what Issei did back at his home. "Interesting."

Issei then rested his ankle on his knee and folded his arms behind his head and asked Rias, "So what exactly is a Fallen Angel?"

Rias started to explain. "The Fallen Angels are Angels who originally were from Heaven. They serve the God like any other Angel. However, they were cast out and fell to Hell due to their impure intentions and actions." She then places a hand on her chest before continuing to talk. "We, the Devils, have been at war with them for millenniums. Fighting for control over the Underworld, or Hell as you call it. The Underworld is split into two areas, one for the Devils, and one for the Fallen Angels. We Devils make pacts with humans for a price in order to obtain power and to increase our strength, whereas the Fallen Angels take control of humans to eliminate us. Moreover, The Angels of God have been tasked with the goal to wipe out both our factions, making the situation a three-way standoff. It's been like this since ancient times." Rias then wears a proud smile and says to Issei, "Hope that answers your question."

Issei didn't reply. He only looked down at the table while trying to process everything that's been told to him so far. Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels were locked in a three-way war for centuries? It's almost unbelievable. If it was all true, then why was he being told all of this? He still has some unanswered questions he wanted to ask Rias too. After remembering that Rias told him that she was his master, he had a look of frustration and tightened his fists, believing that he was now involved in all of this.

"Is everything alright?"

Issei was snapped back into reality and looked up to see Rias and everyone else looking at him with worry in their eyes. He didn't respond. He grabbed his cup, took another sip of the tea and placed the cup back on the table.

"I'm still confused." he said in honesty as he turned his head towards Rias and folded his arms behind his head again. "I can understand that there's a three-way war going on without me noticing until now, but there are some more questions I have that you promised to answer back when you were at my house."

Rias nodded to him and replied, "I'm listening."

Issei then stuck out his left index finger. "First question, what exactly is a Sacred Gear? I recall a Fallen Angel by the name of Rika telling me that I'm a danger to her kind because of me having said gear."

"Sacred Gears are basically irregular, but overwhelmingly powerful artifacts that are bestowed in certain humans by God." Akeno explained. "Most of them were found in people whose names are remembered through all of time, using their powers to become legends. The gears are found within a person's body, and with them, their names are etched into history."

Rias continued after her. "Most Sacred Gears have functions that are only usable in the human society. However, there are exceptional ones out there that are so unstable that they become a threat to both Devils and Fallen Angels of the Underworld.

Issei looked at her with wide eyes. "Damn."

"Would you like to see what Sacred gear you have?"

Issei nodded at her question. "Might as well. Damn gear's the reason I'm being hunted by those guys anyway. And I might as well find a way how to control it too."

Rias smiled at his statement. "Alright Ise, to awaken your Sacred Gear, hold up your left hand."

Issei raised a brow at her instruction, but did as he was told. "Like this?"

He got confirmation from Rias' nod. She then instructed, "Now, close your eyes and imagine the strongest thing or being that comes to mind."

"A strong being..." Issei whispered as his mind was thinking of a strong being. "A Samurai warrior who wields an all-black katana sword." was the being he chose.

Rias then said to him, "Now imagine that person in a particular pose where he looks the strongest."

He began to see the person in his mind. He could see a man with orange hair surrounded by a black aura with red outlining. He was raising a katana sword all in black above his head with the same aura around the blade. He also imagined the strong, determined look on his face as he slashed the sword downwards. As he did said action, the aura was leaving the sword, forming a large crescent shape.

"I think I got it." Issei said smirking.

Rias smiled at this and then continued with the instruction. "Now, lower your arm slowly and stand up."

Issei did as he was told and nodded, waiting for the next step.

"Now mimic the pose you imagined the person performing. You have to imagine it strongly. Don't hold back. You have to do it right away."

The last instruction Rias told him made him blush in embarrassment. But he knew he didn't have a choice. He had to awaken his Sacred Gear, no matter how cringe worthy the instructions are. He started balling up his hands into fists and brought them together as if he's wielding a sword. He then raised his arms above his head, with his blush still intact. "Getsuga..." He then brought his arms down hard as he slashed the 'sword' downwards. "...Tenshou!"

FLASH!

Issei's left arm started to glow emerald green. The light then shined brighter, making the others shield their eyes with their arms from said light. Then a blast of wind enveloped Issei and breezed strongly towards the club members who were still covering their eyes with their arms. After five seconds has past, The wind stopped and the emerald green light died down, revealing Issei, who still had his eyes shut and had his arms forward. He slowly opened his eyes and then widened them when he saw something on his left hand. On it was a crimson red fingerless gauntlet with an emerald green gem on top and two yellow spikes on its left and right sides. Issei brought his left hand towards him to take a good look at the gauntlet. "Is this...the Sacred Gear?"

"Indeed, it is." Rias said, catching Issei's attention. "Congratulations on summoning it. Now that it's been activated, all you have to do is decide when you want to turn it on or off."

After hearing that, Issei concentrated on 'turning off' the Sacred Gear. The gauntlet disappeared afterwards. 'Okay, it's like a mental switch or something.'

"I'm so proud of you Issei-kun."

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Akeno congratulate him. His cheeks turned light pink as he scratched the back of his head smiling. "Oh, thanks, that's really sweet of you."

Akeno giggled at his compliment while looking at him with sweet eyes.

Rias then stood up from the desk and looked to Issei's direction. "Now that we have that taken care of, is there anything else you wish to know?"

Issei started to remember what else he wanted to ask her. His look turned serious as he turned his head to Rias. "If what happened between me and Rika was reality, then how am I still alive after her attack? I know how I lived from the male Fallen Angel's attack, but what about her?"

Rias grabbed something from the right side of her desk and held it up to him. "Do you remember this?" she asked holding up what looks to be a flier.

Issei widened his eyes as he recognized the symbol that was on the flier. "That looks like one of those fliers that woman with brown hair gave me."

Rias nodded to him and continued to speak. "These fliers are used to summon Devils to the person who uses them. For example, if you were on the verge of death by Rika, it would have summoned me to you."

"Summoned?" Issei asked raising one brow.

"However, that wasn't how I saved you. That night, when Rika tried to kill you, my work was interrupted from the sound of objects hitting the ground hard. I looked out the window and saw you being chased by said Fallen Angel. I decided follow you to make sure you didn't get killed. When I caught up to you, I saw you fighting the Fallen Angel, and I must say, I was impressed with how you fought."

Issei scratched the back of his head. "Well, it wasn't that big of a battle."

Rias smile grew. "When you got stabbed by Rika, I showed up just in time before she delivered the final blow to you. After she flew away, I revived you and made you into an honorary member of The House of Gremory; daughter of Zeoticus Gremory."

FLAP!

A pair of black bat-like wings appeared from her back.

"Which means you are now my Devil servant, Issei Hyoudou."

FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!

Issei's mouth opened and his eyes widened as he saw everyone else stand up and have their wings out as well.

FLAP!

He then felt himself lunge forward. Looking over to see what caused him to do so, his eyes widened even more when he saw that he had wings of his own.

'This is insanity!' Issei thought in frustration. 'I'm a Devil now?! I'm really no longer human?!'

"Everyone," Rias said, "please introduce yourselves."

Kiba was first to introduce himself. "My name is Kiba Yuuto, second year student like you are, and a Devil. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Koneko nods her head to Issei. "I'm Koneko Toujou, first year. Even though it's like this, I too am a Devil."

Akeno steps forward and bows to him politely. "My name is Akeno Himejima, third year. I'm also the vice president of the Occult Research Club. I'm also a Devil. Hope we can get along. Fufufu~."

"We're glad to have you here, Issei Hyoudou. Now then, let's get down to business." After concealing her wings, Rias went behind her desk and brought out a full bag. She then went to Issei and handed the bag to him and sat down next to him. "The way this works is we grant power to humans for a price we both agree on and then seal with a pact. It used to be that people would draw magic circles to summon us, but that became too complicated. Nowadays, we make house calls and personal deliveries."

"I see." Issei said as he opened the bag to see stacks of fliers in it.

Rias continued from where she spoke. "Ordinarily, we'd have a messenger demon make the run. But as a new servant, I think it'll benefit you to learn what all goes into this job."

Issei looks up at her. "So Rias-senpai, what do I get for doing this?"

"Well," Rias said, then whispers to him teasingly. "You can have some servants of your own to do whatever you want them to do."

Issei points a finger at her with an annoyed look on his face. "Other than that!" His look then turned serious as he stood up. "I'm asking what do I get by being your servant? Don't misunderstand, I'm grateful to you for bringing me back from the dead so my parents won't be sad, but I never wanted to come back as a Devil, and or become a servant to anyone. What will happen to me when I serve you?"

"Well, what do you want?" Rias asked in interest.

Issei now had a look of depression and looked down to his feet as he was asked that question.

"I... I don't know. There's a lot on my mind. I wanted to become stronger so I can protect myself and any other innocent person from harm. I wanted to make sure my parents were safe in case they become victims to someone who wishes to cause trouble. I wanted to live a simple life where I could maybe learn to be a manga artist, a voice actor, or maybe write stories. But now that I'm a devil that would have to put up with some situations, I... I…"

Issei couldn't say anything else. his hands were now shaking and he looked more distraught than before.

Rias looked at the young man with sympathy in her eyes. She then stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I get it. You feel cheated for being able to live as what you are now. You feel as though your freedom is lost to me, but I assure you, that's not the case at all. You may be my servant, but you're still your own person."

Issei looks at her for a while as she had an assuring smile on her face. He then sighed and nodded to her. She nods in return, but then points up a finger. "But you'll have to call Buchou from now on."

Issei widened his eyes a little at her statement. "How come?"

"Since the school is an active territory of mine, and that this club is a gathering for us Devils, it's best you call me Buchou so the other students don't get the wrong idea."

That's when Issei remembered when they were walking together to school. Students were assuming left and right that him and Rias were dating, when obviously, they're not. "Alright, I guess that makes sense." Issei said. "So where do we start?"

"You start with the fliers."

"...eh?"

"The first step is for you to hand out the fliers that are in the bag you are currently carrying." Rias explained.

Issei then propped the bag on his back with the strap around his right arm. "Alright then. In that case, I'm off to deliver them." He then asked Rias just in case, "Is it alright for me to store some in mailboxes and put some through doors?"

She nodded to him in response. "Of course. As long as the person gets the flier."

Issei nodded to her and took his leave. He opened the door and said, "I'm off." before closing the door behind him, leaving to get to work.

Rias looked on at the door with a smile on her face. "Good luck Ise."

Kuoh Town, 9:00 PM

Issei was currently on his bicycle delivering fliers to his destinations. Luckily, Rias handed him a device that pinpointed certain areas where to drop them off. Before he got started, he phoned his parents to let them know he'll be home late due to club activities. Thankfully, they understood and told him to be safe when he makes his way home. He was currently down to one more flier as he was on his way to his last destination, an apartment building with the room number 236. As he made it to the building, he slipped a flier through room 236's door slot where mail is put through. He then wiped the sweat off his forehead as he finally emptied his bag. He left the building and got back on his bicycle to return to the club room. During his ride back, he was still thinking about his new life as a devil. Sure, Rias did tell him that he's still his own person, but he still had some concerns. What he was concerned with the most is what will happen when his parents find out what he has become. They may not know now, but he has a feeling that one way or another, they'll find out eventually.

Occult Research Club room

Issei knocks on the door and walks into the room. "I finished my deliveries."

Rias looks up from her desk and smiled when she saw him. "Nicely done. I just have one more job for you to do tonight."

"Lay it on me."

"You see, Koneko is double-booked with two summon requests," she explained.

"Oh?" Issei asked in surprise.

"I want you to take one of them so you can get some practice."

Koneko bowed her head to Issei, catching his attention. "That'd be super rad."

Issei bowed to her in response. "Don't worry. I'd be happy to help out a friend. Besides, I might get a chance to get a pact." Even though he just started to know the folks in the club, he still considered them his new friends.

Rias, and Issei walked over to where Akeno was standing as she held her arms out. Issei then widened his eyes to see a large red circle form beneath Akeno's feet. "Holy Hell!"

"We call that a transportation circle," Rias explained. "It allows us to teleport from one place to another." She then turned to Issei. "Hold out your left hand for me, if you will."

"Um, okay." Issei complied by giving her his left hand. She then traced a circle on the palm of his left hand with her finger. Then a symbol was tattooed on his palm. Issei stared at the mark in interest. "Whoa!"

"This is a seal," Rias informed him while he was still looking at the mark. "It serves as proof you're a member of the House of Gremory. When you get to the client's location, don't panic. Just do exactly as I told you. You think you're ready for this?"

Issei nodded while having a confident look on is face. "I'm ready when you are, Buchou."

Rias smiled at his confidence. "Very good. Alright, stand in the middle of the circle and make me proud out there."

Akeno moved out of the way so Issei can go to the circle. "Well, here goes nothing. Or everything," he said to himself as he stepped on the circle. He took a deep breath and let himself be engulfed by the red light.

POOF!

Issei opened his eyes to find that he was in a different location. From the looks of it, he guessed he was in someone's living room of his or her house that's filled with manga, anime, movies, and video games. 'This must be where the client lives. If that's the case, then I'm glad the teleportation worked.' Issei sighed a breath of relief as he said that in his thoughts.

"Who might you be?"

Issei turned his head right to see a man about a year or two older than himself sitting in an office chair. Guessing that he's the client, he bowed to him and said, "Good evening sir. My name is Issei Hyoudou. I am the Devil that has been summoned to you. How may I grant your wish?"

The man looked at him for a couple of seconds, then frowned in disappointment. "Sorry to break it to you kid, while I do believe you're a Devil since I saw you teleport here, you're not the exact one I requested. The one I wanted was a girl that goes by the name Koneko."

Issei knew he would say that, so he bowed his head to him again. "I apologize for that sir. My friend, Koneko, is currently busy with another client, so my master summoned me here in hopes that I could fulfill your wish."

The man then looked at Issei in interest. "Alright, I'll bite. So what can you do?"

Issei blinked at his question three times and scratched the back of his head. "Well first, I need to know what you wanted Koneko to do."

In response, the man reached under his desk and pulled out what appears to be a school uniform that wasn't Kuoh Academy's design. He presented it to Issei while having a pervy look on his face. "She does cosplay~."

Issei face faults at his reply. He then got up and asks with an annoyed look, "Seriously?! She does that for you?!"

"Damn straight," replied the man. "She also sweeps me off my feet and cradles me like a baby! I'm telling you man, she's one strong girl!"

Issei had a puzzled look on his face after hearing his words. 'Koneko can actually lift him up in the air?'

"Anyway," the man continued. "With that out of the way, what can you do?"

Issei put a hand on his chin as he tried to think of something to say. He didn't want to disappoint Rias. He had to get that pact. He then remembered his encounter with the perverted duo when he caught them peeping on the Kendo team, his fight with a thug that was harming his classmate, Aika, and his battles with two Fallen Angels. That was when he decided to use those memories to convince him he's worth making a pact with. Issei looked at the man with a serious look.

"Well, I remember one time I fought a thug that was trying to hurt someone."

The man looked at him in interest. "Go on."

"You see, this particular thug was trying to force a girl to do what he wants," Issei explained. He then smirked before continuing. "And when I fought him, I recall stomping on his head with my foot. After I did that, a small crater formed around the thug's head."

The man widened his eyes in awe as he heard the last part. "Damn. Was it like the ones in Dragon Ball Z?"

Issei raised a brow at his question. "I guess you can say that it's somewhat like the ones in Dragon Ball Z, but about the size of the thug's head." He said to the man. "Why ask? You into Dragon Ball Z?"

The man chuckled at his question and smirked. "Am I into it?" he asked Issei. He then went to his cabinet and opened it. "I'm a BIG fan of that series! Take a good look, my friend."

Issei widened his eyes in amusement as he was shown every single DVD of the Dragon Ball Z anime series. "Holy mother fucker!"

The man's smirk grew bigger as he heard Issei say those words. "What you see before you is all of the first editions of the entire series. That makes me a true collector, unlike those with the special editions!"

Issei had his eyes and mouth wide open hearing all of this. This was his first time meeting a collector of a very popular anime series. And he had to admit, it was making him excited. "I'm so jealous of you man," Issei said to him. "I could only afford a couple of those DVDs with my allowance every week when I was seven! And most of my money went to other series I enjoy as well!"

"Hmm," The man said as he looked at Issei in interest. "Then maybe we can work this out then."

Issei looked at him with puzzled look. "What do you mean by that?"

The man smirked to Issei and responded with something that gave Issei hope. "I'll make a pact with you if you watch the entire series with me with the remaining time you have. After we watch a certain amount of episodes, we can reenact some of the battles in them. We could also watch other kinds of films and play some video games as well if I summon you."

"Yes! You got yourself a deal!" Issei said nodding his head hyperactive with a cheerful smile. He then looked at his device with a calculating look. He was also able find out what his name was with said device. "Okay Mr. Morisawa, in order to sign the contract, it'll cost you either a close personal item, or five thousand yen."

"Alright then." Mr. Morisawa then went to his closet and pulled out a golden ball that had a red star on it and showed it to him.

"The one star Dragon ball?" Issei asked

"Yup," replied Mr. Morisawa. "When I purchased all the novelty Dragon Balls, I noticed that I accidentally bought two of the one star balls, but decided to keep the extra anyway. Will this price work for you?"

"Of course," Issei assured him. "It'll do just fine." After Issei stored the novelty one star Dragon Ball in his bag, he got the contract signed. Mr. Morisawa then went to the shelf and took out the first seven DVDs of the Dragon Ball Z series and propped them on his coffee table.

"So, ready to get started?" he asked with a smirk.

"Ready when you are," Issei replied with a toothy grin.

Occult Research club room

"You two watched anime and talked about it?" Rias asked with a surprised look.

"Yup," Issei replied with a smile on his face. "I even got a contract just so I can do said activities with him." He then reached into his bag and pulled out the novelty one star Dragon Ball he was paid with with a toothy grin. "This was his price to sign the contract. And I'm personally proud of myself for such an achievement."

"Ara ara, way to go Issei-kun!"

Issei blushed a light shade of red as he was congratulated again by Akeno. "Aww. Thanks Akeno-senpai," he said while scratching the back of his head, only for Akeno to giggle in response.

Rias smiled at his accomplishment. "I'm glad you were able to get a contract on your first try. Even Mr. Morisawa enjoyed your company."

"Oh?" Issei was surprised at the last part she said. "What makes you think that?"

Rias pulled out a piece of paper and showed it to him. "After a Devil is done with their job, the client writes a review on how he or she performed. This was Mr. Morisawa's review for you."

Issei started reading the text. "He was a cool dude. Very fun to hang out with too. Can't wait to summon him again for more requests. Best time I had yet."

Issei chuckled to himself while scratching the back of his head after he read it all the way through. He then picked up his bag and went towards the door. "Anyway, I'm tired now from all of that work. Can I go home?"

"Of course," Rias said, giving him the greenlight to leave. "One more thing, Ise," Issei turned his head to Rias as he heard her speak. She now had a serious look on her face. "Try not to cause any trouble since you now have your Sacred Gear unlocked. We can't have the enemy find out about your current status. If they do, It'll be troublesome for all of us."

Issei sighed after hearing this. "Noted, Buchou." Issei then took his leave, opening the door and closing it behind him.

"Exaggeration much?" Rias turned her head left when he heard Akeno talk to her. "He's still new, you didn't have to scare him there."

"I'm not trying to scare him," Rias said to her friend. "I just don't want him to overestimate himself. Especially with the strength he had when he fought those two Fallen Angels before." Rias' look then turned more serious as she bit her thumb. "Plus, I will not let any of those Angel rejects take my new servant from me."

Kuoh town walkway, 10:00 PM

Issei was on his way home from his 'club activities'. As he was walking he took a look at the sky and beautiful it looked. He smiled as he saw the stars twinkling in the sky. If he wanted to, he could go to the top of his house when he got home and keep staring into the night sky. Sadly, he can't because he needs sleep so he can be ready for another school day.

Issei then stopped dead in his tracks. He could sense someone's presence behind him via Reiatsu. Well... That's what he decided to call it when he senses someone's presence, power, etc. It was the same Reiatsu that he felt when he encountered that male Fallen Angel. He turned around to the source and widened his eyes to see a woman with navy blue hair. Her attire consisted of a maroon, trenchcoat-like top with a wide collar, a matching miniskirt, and black heeled shoes.

"I see you're still alive," the woman finally spoke. "That's good. Then maybe there's a chance."

Issei took two steps back and retorted, "If you're a Fallen Angel, then fly away and leave me alone! I don't want any trouble!"

"Hear me out, Devil of Rias Gremory," the woman insisted to Issei. "I came to you to tell you what Rika plans to do, and I personally don't like it one bit."

Issei had a look of bewilderment after hearing those words. How did she know he became a devil that serves Rias? What surprised him the most is that she, a Fallen Angel, is warning him about Rika, another Fallen Angel, being up to something bad.

"Hear me, young one," she says to Issei, "Rika plans to murder an innocent nun just so she can obtain the Sacred Gear that allows the nun to heal any injury of any race."

Issei widened his eyes at her warning. Rika, the same Fallen Angel that tried to kill him because of how dangerous his Sacred Gear is, is now planning to kill a nun so she can get her Sacred Gear from her?

"That's all I have time to say to you, young one."

FLAP!

Issei's suspicion about the blue haired woman being a Fallen Angel has been confirmed as he saw black feathered wings appear from her back. The woman then began to take flight and leave the area.

"Wait!" Issei called to her. "I don't understand! What about the nun?! Why does Rika want her Sacred Gear?!"

"I don't have time to explain anymore," The woman said. "Rika will be suspicious about where I am!"

"But..." Issei was still bewildered about the whole situation

"I do have time to say this," The woman said before flying away. "If you see a nun, you'll know it's the one I'm talking about when you see two silver rings on one hand each! They glow green when they are in use. Those rings are her Sacred Gear!"

With that said, the woman took her leave, leaving a still confused Issei by himself. It took him a while to get back to his senses and continue walking home. As he was walking, he began asking questions to himself. Who is this nun that has this ring-type Sacred Gear. And most importantly...

Why did that Fallen Angel warn him about the other Fallen Angel, Rika?

To be continued...